Homosexual ban may be reversed among Boy Scouts

By nfinley

Created 01/29/2013 - 5:17pm

POSTED: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 5:17pm

UPDATED: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 - 8:13am

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS (KVEO NEWSCENTER 23) — Not many changes in how the Boy Scouts here in the lower Rio Grande Valley operate if a decision is made to reverse a ban on homosexuals within the organization.

"This has been happening, the choice, the leadership has been happening for 100 years in the same manner," says RGV Scout Executive, Ernesto Carballo.

For all Carballo knows there could be, or have been, homosexuals acting in leadership roles.

"We've never had sexual orientation as part of our application process," added Carballo.

What BSA officials focus on is who will be the person for that role .

“We're are the best youth organization out there. We instill incredible core values and whether it's going to be any sexual orientation, the leader will still have to provide the best quality program, it doesn't really matter preference or sexual orientation," said Carballo.

If the BSA does in fact reverse the ban that will allow adults to openly serve in leadership roles or to let children who are gay participate, it will be up to each individual troop to go along with the change or stick to the ban.

"Allowing the local churches and civic leaders to really pick and choose the best quality leaders, and there could be scenarios where an organization is a little more liberal, more liberal with selection or leaders. At the same time, there may be also very conservative organizations like churches that will continue with standards they see fit,” said Carballo.

Again the reversal on the ban would also include allowing homosexual boys to participate. One leader thinks the reversal of the ban is a great idea being that every young boy should have the opportunity to participate in the organization.

"As a leader, we have extensive, extensive training to be able to handle these types of situations, and if something was to come up, explain to the boys what the deal is, but today's mentality, of kids, is more open to what it was in the 70's and the 80's, now they have friends that are gay and don't mind it," says Scout Leader, Julio Olivo.

With the Boy Scout’s oath being duty to God and country, duty to others and duty to self, a mother of a twelve year old scout believes opening the door for all types of people is reflective of that oath.

"I think it's overdue. I think God and our country stand for not discriminating against people and accepting people the way they are.” said Boy Scout parent, Lisa Mitchell-Bennett.

In the next few months, the local BSA organization will meet with the charter organizations to let them know what their rights are in choosing leadership and members.